Page 59 of Hex and the Kitty

The pharmacy’s interior had transformed from its daytime configuration. Shelves of remedies and ghost consultation areas had retreated to create space for a circular mahogany table surrounded by plush velvet-covered stools. Vials and bottles of various sizes glowed on surrounding shelves, casting prismatic shadows across the hardwood floors.

“The pastry witch has arrived!” Daisy announced to the waiting group.

Celeste waved from her seat, her green dress complementing her auburn hair. Beside her, Ellie cradled a steaming mug while round-bellied Tabitha leafed through a leather-bound book. Sera sat primly beside her, ash-blonde hair swept into a neat bun, her modest baby bump barely visible beneath her flowing blouse.

The air swirled with scents of lavender, citrus, and ginseng, punctuated by stronger notes from a cauldron bubbling in the corner.

“Perfect timing,” Celeste smiled. “We were just debating whether your bakery’s psychic pastries inspired tonight’s adventure, or if Daisy’s obsession with future-telling is entirely her own fault.”

Daisy playfully swatted Celeste’s arm. “Excuse me! Molly’s the one who got us all obsessed with peering into the future with those prophetic cupcakes of hers.”

“True,” Ellie nodded. “Remember when Kade ate that ‘Destiny Delight’ cupcake and saw himself proposing to Celeste? His face turned whiter than your icing, Molly.”

“The poor wolf nearly fainted,” Tabitha added with a giggle, rubbing her rounded belly.

Molly set her basket on the table. “At least my prophecies come wrapped in buttercream. What’s Daisy concocting tonight?”

“A glimpse-of-potential-futures spell,” Sera explained, her methodical tone belying the excitement in her eyes. “From her grandmother’s grimoire.”

“Potential futures?” Molly raised an eyebrow as she distributed the pastel macaron boxes. “That sounds unpredictable.”

“Says the witch who serves visions of the future with coffee every morning,” Daisy retorted, hands on hips.

FORTY-FIVE

“My cupcakes show probable outcomes based on current paths,” Molly countered, settling onto an empty stool. “Not wild possibilities that might never happen.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure?” Celeste asked, biting into a rose macaron. The subtle magic released a tiny shower of sparks above her head, illuminating her delighted expression. “Oh, these are divine.”

“I’m plenty adventurous,” Molly protested, thinking of how she’d boldly pulled Warrick into her storage room two days ago, how his powerful hands had lifted her against the wall, how his mouth had?—

“Earth to Molly,” Daisy waved a hand before her face. “Your aura just turned scarlet. Thinking of a certain fire chief?”

The room dissolved into knowing laughter as Molly’s cheeks blazed.

“Leave her alone,” Ellie said, though her eyes twinkled. “Not everyone broadcasts their romance like you and Roarke, Daisy.”

“Speaking of broadcasts,” Daisy pivoted, passing out small vials of shimmering liquid. “These are pre-future potion supplements, each tailored to our unique magical signatures.”

Molly examined the amber-colored liquid in her vial. “What does mine do?”

“Enhances your natural prophetic talents while opening you to wider possibilities,” Daisy explained. “Everyone’s is different—protection, clarity, grounding, balance.”

“In other words,” Ellie translated with a fond smile, “Daisy’s gone overboard with preparation as usual.”

“Better safe than sprouting antlers,” Daisy replied with mock indignation. “It happened to my cousin once during a scrying session.”

Sera raised her vial, her usually composed demeanor softening. “To girls’ night and glimpses of the future—without antlers!”

They clinked their vials and drank. The liquid tasted of honey and starlight, warming Molly from within. Her fingertips tingled with heightened magic.

“Lark nearly lost his mind when I told him about the baby,” Sera shared, her hand resting on her small bump. “He transformed mid-sentence and flew circles around our house until the neighbors complained about the dragon shadows scaring their cats.”

“Bram cried,” Tabitha revealed, affection softening her features. “The toughest bear shifter in town, sobbing into his hands when I showed him the test. Then he carried me around the house for an hour, refusing to let my feet touch the ground.”

“Kade installed a bell system throughout our house,” Celeste added, rolling her eyes fondly. “So I can summon him from any room without raising my voice. As if his wolf hearing wouldn’t pick up a whisper.”

“Reed ordered a specialized pregnancy pillow from some shifter craftsman in Norway,” Ellie continued. “It cost more than our entire bedroom set and makes whooshing sounds like a womb.”

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